The jar to the brain from a bullet of
great velocity, as in this case, was alone sufficient to injure
the organ irreparably. In a similar manner I have known a deer to
be killed by the impact of a heavy rifle-ball against one horn,
although there was no evidence of fracture of the skull. On the
other hand, game animals often escape after such injuries not
directly involving the brain, although temporarily rendered
unconscious, as I have observed in several instances, the
diagnosis undoubtedly being concussion of the brain.
"Slight injury to the brain, and especially if it be unilateral,
then, may not produce unconsciousness. It is not very uncommon
for a missile from a heavy weapon to strike the skull, and be
deflected without the production of such a state. Near the town
in which I formerly practiced, the town-marshal shot at a negro,
who resisted arrest, at a distance of only a few feet, with a 44-
caliber revolver, striking the culprit on the side of the head.
The wound showed that the ball struck the skull and plowed along
under the scalp for several inches before emerging, but it did
not even knock the negro down, and no unconsciousness followed
later. I once examined an express-messenger who had been shot in
the occipital region by a weapon of similar size, while seated at
his desk in the car.
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